Date: April 22, 2018
Bib: 6711
Time: 50min 40sec
Pace: 8min 10sec / mile
Distance: 10k (6.21 miles)
In 2018, I was living in Glendale, CA. I had moved to Glendale from Alhambra after going through a breakup. At this time, my sister had moved to the area and we were living together in Alhambra when we found 1422 North Brand Blvd in Glendale (Thanks Matt!).
Over the years I’ve reflected on that time. It was difficult as I was in year 3 of starting my own business. Growth was picking up, but not where I had expected us (my business partner and I) to be at the time. I was going through a difficult time mentally. Likely depressed. Short tempered. Frustrated.
One random day, January 7, 2018, I was leaving the gym (LA Fitness) across from the The Americana at Brand and saw Eve, Vince and Elisa. They were getting ready to take photos for Yensisters. I hadn’t seen them for a year or two?
Shortly after, Vince had recommended we do the Nike Go LA 10k. I wasn’t excited to do anything related to running since I absolutely hate running, but thought it would be something new and a challenge.
The Nike Go LA 10k was slated for April 22, 2018. Vince told me he would pick me up from my place and we’d head out together on the morning of.
Come the morning of April 22nd, I was ready..taking a #2 thinking to myself I needed to finish before Vince arrived. He’s usually punctual!
After about 10-15 minutes from when he should have arrived I texted him and he had slept in.
He rushed, eventually arrived, and we drove off to the Culver City area.
We didn’t get much time to relax and the run was about to begin. The entire event was on the 10 Freeway.
The only training I completed before this was a few 1 mile runs to and from the gym.
Needless to say, I struggled but completed my first 10k at a (not so) impressive 50min 40sec.
It was a weird feeling completing my first 10k. In my mind, that was a long distance, but there were so many people who ran it with such ease. This actually ignited something inside of me–how far could I push myself mentally and physically?
This started a journey with Vince and I to run a half marathon and eventually a full marathon.